Page 9 of An Island Promise

Hannah had been right that once they started to talk they’d slip back into the comfortable friendship they used to have. The glimmer of a younger Gem was hidden behind a toughened exterior. Belle’s nerves hadn’t completely dispersed but they had eased by having her breakup with Isaac to talk about. Her own failings made her feel less like she was rubbing her London life in Gem’s face.

After chatting for a good twenty minutes, Belle was relieved to see Laurie strolling towards them, her arm hooked in Ade’s, her long dark hair sleek, her powder-blue trouser suit hugging her slender frame, the floral blouse feminine and very Laurie.

‘Traffic!’ Laurie said with a shake of her head as she pulled them into a group hug. She was the one who united them, the easy-going non-confrontational friend who eased any tension and helped the conversation flow. ‘I knew we should have booked two nights and travelled down yesterday. Never mind, we’re here now.’

Ade greeted them too with a kiss to their cheeks.

‘You’re not staying with your mum and dad then?’ Belle asked.

‘No, we wanted to treat ourselves but we’ll see them before heading home.’

Laurie’s parents had always been warm and welcoming, happiest when their house was filled with kids, and Belle and Gem had spent plenty of time there. As a teenager Belle had beenjealous of the attention Laurie received from her parents when her own were always working. Laurie had the company of two younger sisters as well, which only accentuated Belle’s loneliness as an only child. More often than not she’d get home from secondary school to an empty house and heat up a microwave meal, while Laurie’s Italian dad would welcome his girls with homemade pasta or the tastiest pizza. Gem had managed to have a healthy relationship with her parents too, although she hadn’t always got on with her older brother, but their house was homely and lived-in. Belle had understood why Gem had wanted to escape their small town, but she’d have done anything for the close and loving relationship Gem had with her parents, although that had changed once Gem had become pregnant, her parents’ disappointment obvious even if they’d unconditionally supported her. With absent parents for most of her childhood, starting afresh in London had been a no-brainer for Belle.

Gem had been right about Ade being happy to chat to everyone. He introduced himself to people he didn’t know and reconnected with partners he’d met at other social gatherings. Gem’s partner Dan had never been like that, which meant with Ade content to do his own thing, the three friends were able to spend time together.

After drinks on the lawn and photographs by the lake, everyone was ushered inside the converted barn for the speeches and sit-down meal. The circular tables looked fresh and springlike with vases of pink and purple flowers and fronds of greenery, and the high ceiling was crisscrossed by oak beams and lines of fairy lights.

Belle and Gem were seated together next to Laurie and Ade with another two couples who they knew in passing, and it was a jolly couple of hours feasting on slow roasted pork with glazed shallots and braised red cabbage with a Sicilian lemon tartand raspberry sorbet for dessert, before champagne was poured ahead of the speeches.

After the father-of-the-bride and the best man had finished speaking, Belle turned to Laurie. ‘This reminds me of your wedding.’

‘Just not as fancy.’ Laurie raised an eyebrow and lowered her voice. ‘Or anywhere near as expensive.’

‘But in a place just as beautiful,’ Belle stressed. ‘It’s not always necessary to throw a tonne of money at something to make it special.’

‘Says the person who organises mind-boggingly expensive events all the bloody time,’ Gem cut in.

‘It’s different when it’s my job compared to someone’s hard-earned cash.’

‘True.’ Gem leaned forward and looked pointedly at Laurie. ‘The other difference with your wedding is you drank like a fish, whereas today I’ve noticed you’re not drinking at all.’ She tilted her head. ‘Anything you’d care to share?’

Laurie’s sharp intake of breath, rapid blinking and clenched jaw immediately suggested that Gem’s question was way off the mark. ‘No, I’m not drinking but not for the reason you’re assuming.’ She flashed a worried glance in Ade’s direction but he was deep in conversation with the husband of another friend.

Belle had also noticed during the toasts that Laurie had raised her glass of champagne but hadn’t taken a sip, switching instead to sparkling elderflower. She’d figured if Laurie wanted to tell them something then she would.

‘Oh come on, Laurie.’ Gem folded her arms and lowered her voice. ‘Even if you’re before twelve weeks you can tell us. That bad luck stuff is bullshit.’

Laurie’s chair screeched on the polished wood floor as she pushed it back. She stood up, her eyes damp as she glared at Gem. ‘You really can be bloody insensitive at times.’

Belle’s insides constricted as Laurie paced away, weaving past the other tables, her slight frame looking incredibly vulnerable as she retreated.

Belle turned to Gem. ‘Seriously, why the hell would you say that?’

All the recent conversations Belle had had with Laurie when they hadn’t really talked about anything in particular slotted into place. Following Laurie and Ade’s wedding four years ago, every conversation had been filled with the excitement for the future, of trying for a baby, of Laurie looking forward to having a family and taking time out from the data-entry job she hated. It was only now that Belle realised all that kind of talk had petered out as if was too hard for her to discuss any longer.

Belle shook her head at Gem. ‘There can be many reasons for someone choosing not to drink – for their health or simply personal choice. I’ve also got a colleague who’s gone teetotal while going through fertility treatment.’

‘Oh shit.’ Gem sighed. ‘I’ll go after her.’

‘No,’ Belle said, standing up. ‘We’ll go together.’

6

Belle shivered as they stepped from the warmth of the barn with its music and twinkling lights into the fresh May evening. She wrapped her pashmina tighter round her shoulders as she tried to keep up with Gem, watching her footing as she crossed the gravelled terrace in her heels.

They caught up with Laurie in the shadows next to the box hedge. Her black hair was outlined by the purple-pink hues of the dusky sky.

She turned to them with tears streaking her face. ‘I didn’t mean to snap at you back then, it’s just…’ She rounded on Gem. ‘Youspeak without thinking. You always do.’

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